Gabrielle trotted across the central square, appreciating
the cool breeze that pushed the hair back from her face, and send pleasant drafts down her
loose fitting tunic. Not the time to be displaying my trophy marks from last night..
she'd mused ruefully as she changed out of her halter top and skirt. Besides..
sometimes that thing gets.. drafty. Her mouth quirked. She liked wearing it most of
the time.. it reminded her of her ties to the Amazons, but while she was in Amphipolis,
and later at home in Potadeia, she'd gotten used to the comfortable belted tunics that
Xena also tended to wear when not in armor. The clean, sun dried linen felt good against
her skin, and she decided she'd stick with them when they went home.

Home. The word struck a sudden chord in her, and
brought a smile to her face as she neared the small path leading to Lestan and Wennid's
cot. Home for her always meant at Xena's side, but now home was also Amphipolis, and her
mind filled with warm memories of Cyrene, the forested paths theyd walked on, the
cold spring they loved to swim in, even Toris...it had been the longest they'd stayed in
any one place the entire time they'd traveled together.. and Gabrielle was glad, in the
depths of her heart that they were going back there.

She wanted to see the now familiar outline of the inn, and
taste Cyrene's unmatchable cakes, and enjoy the private time they'd reserved for
themselves every afternoon in the hidden glade to the north, where she and Xena would just
rest quietly in each other's arms, and watch the slanting sunlight change it's angle, and
listen to the world going by.

She had been at peace, and for the first time since she'd
known her, so had her partner. And I want that back.. Gabrielle decided silently.
I never would have asked her to stay home.. but.. Gods.. am I ever glad, because I think
that's going to do more to heal her than anything else...I could see her changing right
before my eyes there...all that hard watchfulness and angry tension just washed out of
her, and left a very warm, and very loving person that I want very very much to coax back
out.

She mounted the steps to the leader's cot, and the door
opened as she got to it. "Hello." She said, as Wennid pulled the door back, and
motioned her inside. "Just thought I'd stop by and ...Oh."

The conference room the door opened in on was filled with
murmuring forest people, and she immediately stopped and started to back out.
"Sorry.. didn't know you were in the middle of something here."

Smiles ran around the room. Wennid chuckled. "Well,
you and your lifemate, actually." She guided Gabrielle to a chair, and settled her in
it, pouring a cup of cider for the bard and putting it before her. "Here.. sorry I
startled you .. it's really very benign.. you see, we were all just discussing our first
experience with humans who share a gift we thought only affected our people."

Gabrielle settled back, resting her wrists on the table,
and cupping her hands around her mug. Oh boy... this wasn't part of the agenda, Xena..
I'll just have to do the best I can. "Well.. listen, I know it must be really
weird for you." She said calmly. "It's pretty weird for us, too." She
leaned forward, and took a sip of the cider. "We didn't ask for this."

"Of course not." Wennid interjected soothingly.
"We all understand that, Gabrielle, and believe me, we don't regret that this has
happened..." Her eyes flicked around the room. "I won't lie and say that we
weren't...dismayed.. at first, but that had more to do with what you are, than who you
are."

Gabrielle took a breath, then thought better of it, and
remained silent.

"Now.." Wennid went on. "We've gotten to
know you, and we realize that... " She looked a touch sheepish "You're not so
different than we are."

Gabrielle thought about that for a minute. "No,
you're wrong." She finally said, quietly, but her tone carried across the suddenly
silent room. "Im very different." Her mist green eyes traveled around the
room. "Just like I'm very different from Xena, and she's very different from just
about anyone else I've ever known." She paused. "We get in a lot of trouble with
this us and them thing, you know? We're all different - you just have to learn to judge
people by themselves, not as part of some other group."

Silence fell, as they regarded her, a ring of furred
faces, with varying shades of golden eyes, and the odd fangtip showing. She took a sip of
cider, knowing she'd made a point, and suddenly the room seemed friendlier. Good one,
Gabrielle, Xena will be proud of you.

Her nearest neighbor leaned over, and gazed thoughtfully
at her. "So.. you think I'm just another person, is that right?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Sure."

The forest dweller jerked forward, baring all his teeth
and growled in a risingly fierce howl.

Oh yeah? Gabrielle got angry. Take this. And
she dropped her head, letting her expression harden, and locked her eyes with the forest
dwellers in dead silence. The forest dweller blinked, then drew back his head, and finally
tried to find someplace to put his eyes other than hers. "Don't try that with
me." The bard growled. "Because I've seen things lots scarier than you."
She paused, then grinned right at him. "In fact, I travel with one of them."

"Alen." Wennid's voice was angry. "That was
very rude."

Alen sighed, and gave Gabrielle an abashed nod. "I
know, I'm sorry. But we're so used to humans thinking we're animals, it's hard to believe
when one of you just comes in here and says you don't." He paused. "Sorry."

The bard relented, and let off her Xena look
impersonation. "Thats all right.. I do understand  we go through that all
the time from people who think Xena is a murdering warlord."

Wennid quietly refilled the bards cup, and settled
back down in her chair, casually casting her glance around the room. Then she smiled, and
gave a signal, and the group began to disperse. She laid a hand on Gabrielles arm
when the bard started to stand up. "Please stay, Gabrielle. Id like to talk
with you for a little while."

Uh oh. Gabrielles mind raced. Ok..Ok.. take
it easy, Gabrielle  you can handle this. "Sure." She said, shrugging,
as she sat back down and took a long swallow of cider. And be careful with that..
its nice and smooth and tasty, and packs quite a punch, and you dont need to
be tipsy right now.

The room emptied, and quieted, and Wennid stood, moving
around the room and collecting cups. She glanced across the room and quietly studied the
young human who was sitting, hands wrapped around one of her glazed mugs, with a serious
expression on her face. She is.. in her own, very gentle, very honest way, as
formidable as her lifemate. The forest dweller mused. Smaller than Xena, yes, and less
physically threatening, but her compact body was strong and muscular, and she had a force
of personality that became its own weapon. She piled the cups on a tray, then
crossed back over and sat down next to Gabrielle.

"Tell me.. Gabrielle how do you feel about this
gift?" She kept her voice gentle, non-threatening. "How did you find out you had
it?"

The bard sat slowly back, and played with the arm of the
chair she was sitting in. How do I feel? Good question. "I think its
great." She answered slowly. "Its saved my life.. oh.. I dont know
how many times now.. even before we realized what it was, Xena used it. "

"She did." Wennid murmured. "And
didnt say anything to you?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "What was there to say? Its
just a feeling you get.. that somethings not right.. somethings.. out of
place. " She thought for a minute. "She did it so often, I stopped questioning
it. It was just something.. one of the many things she was just good at. "

"And when you found out.. what it was?" Wennid
gently persisted.

"Oh.. gosh. " Gabrielle laughed. "Well,
wed had this situation where I was with the Amazons for a while, and she
wasnt, and we got back together after a really nasty problem. Shed told me
that she knew something was wrong with me, and thats what made her come riding to my
rescue. " She grinned at Wennids face. "Well, she does  thats
just how she is. Anyway, we were at a banquet the next day and I could " She
fell silent. "I think for the first time, really.. I could feel that something
wasnt right with her it was.. really strange. "

"Were you touching each other?" Wennid asked,
with a grin.

"Mmmm yeah." Gabrielle acknowledged,
blushing. "Did that have something to do with it?"

Wennid nodded, and quietly filled the bards cup.
Gabrielle didnt appear to notice. "Sure.. it would, if you had reached a
certain point. And I guess you had." Her eyes twinkled.

Gabrielle blushed again. "Sort of." She
muttered. "Anyway, I just turned around and asked her if she thought we were like..
well, you and Lestan. And she said yes."

"That was it?" Wennid blinked. "You
didnt question it or..???"

The bard nodded. "Yep.. that was it. We just sort of
said, Ok.. we can deal with this.. and went on from there."

Wennid rubbed her head and gave it a little shake.
"And how long have you been together?"

"Two years and some." Gabrielle answered, taking
a tiny sip from her mug.

"And you never considered before.." The forest
dweller seemed to be having some trouble with this.

Gabrielle sighed, and glanced at her hands. "Im
not really comfortable discussing this." She looked up at Wennid. "No offense,
but its really personal to me."

The forest dweller blinked. "Gods above. I do
apologize, Gabrielle.. were so used to talking about the lifebond amongst ourselves,
that I forgot.."

"And please dont try to get me drunk. I
dont like it." The bard quietly added, leveling a stare at her.

Wennid studied the table thoughtfully. "I apologize
again, Gabrielle. I was only trying to get you in a frame of mind where you could discuss
this with less anxiety." She looked up with a serious expression. "The clan has
voted to ask you, and your lifemate, to allow us to adopt you  I wanted to make sure
had all the information you needed to make that decision before I asked. I can see I went
about it the wrong way."

Gabrielle gave her a slow smile, and sat back.
"Actually, " she said with a casual air. "what you really want is to know
more about us before you ask that. " Her mouth quirked. "So.. lets just
get to the "so.. whats Xena really like" discussion and we can go from
there, OK?"

They looked at each other, then Wennid started to laugh.
"OK..OK.." She finally said, slapping the table. "You pass, storyteller. ..
you win." She leaned back herself, and waved a hand at the chuckling bard. "All
right then tell me, Gabrielle, whats Xena really like?:"

"So.. youre going to tell me shes not
like all the stories weve heard, not a bloodthirsty, ruthless warlord who kills at
the drop of a hat, right?" Wennid winked at her.

And got back a sudden, serious stare. "No."
Gabrielle said, her voice deepening. "Im not, because she can be bloodthirsty,
and ruthless, and Ive seen her kill at less than a drop of a hat."

Silence fell.

"But shes also endlessly brave, and totally
honest, and shes willingly offered her life up for others on more occasions than I
can count. " The bard finished softly. "Shes the most complex, most
driven, most determined person Ive ever known. Or ever will."

Wennid absorbed this in continued silence. So.. the
little girl is not a na´ve child after all. Her mind mused. She knows the darkness as
well as the light of her lifemate. "Thank you."

"Youre welcome." Gabrielle answered.

Another silence. "She came and got Jessan this
morning." Wennid commented offhandedly, but her eyes glinted. "Never saw anyone
pull him by the ear before and get away with it."

Gabrielle giggled. "Thats Xena." She
leaned forward again, more at ease now. "There was this time " And she was
off, snaring a fascinated Wennid into several of their more complicated tales, which she
told with the ease borne of long practice. Shed just finished the last, when the
door pushed open, and Lestan trudged in, to throw himself into a chair, and sigh
explosively.

"Where " He rolled his head to one side and
glared at Gabrielle. "Does she get all that energy?" He closed his eyes and
rocked his head to relieve pressure in his neck. "She took on all of us, one at a
time, then went through battle formations, and taught me more about field generalship in
one morning .Ares, shes good."

Lestan nodded wearily. "Yeah. She said if we had a
few more days " He chuckled. "But she did what she could.. and it might
" His eyes opened and met Wennids, over Gabrielles head.
"Might just make the difference." His face held a note of surprise, and a dim
dawning hope. "She showed me a strategy that would work against Secan takes
advantage of his one glaring weakness."

"Excuse me." Gabrielle said, standing up.
Im gonna kill her.

"Wait.." Lestan put a hand on her arm.
"Wennids spoken to you about the clan adopting you, has she?" His mahogany
eyes searched hers in quiet gentleness.

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah."

"You can say no." The forest dweller rumbled.
"I know were very different.. but it seems we have the important things in
common, and I'd really like to extend the protection of the clan around you both if
youre going to fight on our behalf tomorrow."

The bard took a breath. "I know.. and Im sure
that wont be a hard decision. " She smiled at Lestan. "Ill go talk
to her about it." She slipped from her chair, and headed for the door, shaking her
head a little. "Xena, you promised." She muttered under her breath.

Then stopped short, as a tall, pale furred form towered
over her, and put up a hand to slow her progress. Warrin.. oh gods "Dont
even think about it." She said firmly, backing off and taking a defensive position
automatically.

"Ok.." Xena said, for what seemed the thousandth
time that morning. "Try that again." And parried the resulting blow with what
must have seemed to the forest dwellers smooth ease. But it wasnt to her, and
hadnt been for a little while. Damn damn damn she cursed herself. I
dont have time to get tired this fast.

Shed done brief bouts with all of the fighters,
getting a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses, and had spent the last while
teaching them some battle tactics shed used successfully in forest battles in the
past. It was going well  the forest dwellers were very fast learners, and this was
something natural to them. Shed even spent a bit of time with Lestan, and showed him
a way to compensate for his bad arm. All in all, an excellent session.

In fact, she mused, if she had a fortnight to spend with
the forest dwellers, doing this, their neighbors might justifiably become very nervous. A
smirk tugged at her lips, then vanished as she patiently parried yet another charge, this
time letting the fighter just run right past her, and smacking him lightly on the back
with her flat. "When you lose control of your momentum.." She called. "You
end up in places you dont wanna be."

Deggis rubbed his back as he turned around to face her and
spoke up tiredly. "But they outnumber us, Xena. What then? Its fine to do this
one on one, and Ares in Olympus Ive learned a lot today.. but "

Oh boy. Xena sighed. I was afraid someone was going
to ask that question. "Works the same in a crowd, Deggis." She answered,
watching his face. Doesnt believe me. Damn OK, Gabrielle, I know I
promised.. but if Im gonna collapse in the middle of battle tomorrow, Id
better find that out now. "All right.. Ill show you." She said,
stepping back a few paces, and shifting her grip on the sword. Then.. Im calling
a break, because standing up might be a problem.

They all looked at her, a ring of serious, intent faces.
She took a deep breath, and reached down into rapidly depleting reserves. Better make
this good, Xena.. its whats going to get them through tomorrow.. or not. They
have to believe its possible. "OK  all of you. At me. Now."

For a moment, they all looked at each other, then at her.
"Now!!!" She yelled, and saw them jerk in response, then they moved at her with
frightening speed.

She met the first two blades with sudden backhanded lunges
that sent them flying, then was in the middle of a solid band of fighters, whipping her
sword around her in pure instinct, which kept their steel from her body and kept them at
bay. Two more disarmed, and she was flipping out of the way of a third, landing and
leaping high again, this time slamming her hilts on a furry head, and kicking yet another
who tried to engage her.

It was long, and it was hard, and she took out all the
stops and kept moving, driving them back and disarming them one by one.

And at last, at very long last when she thought she might
possibly pass out on the battlefield for about the first time in her life, she looked
around and saw she was the only one armed and standing. She stood with her sword resting
against one thigh, in a very quiet field where the grass waved gently against her boots,
and the insistent chirp of crickets could now be heard. A cool breeze filtered through,
pushing the dark hair off her forehead, and bringing welcome relief to her pounding head. Gods..
I cant believe I actually pulled that off. She felt her labored breathing began
to settle, and quietly thanked the gods for all that time spent in endless hours of
conditioning. Pays off.. when I really need it to.

They all stared at her with eyes that absorbed her every
move, every word. "It can be done." She said, pitching her voice to carry across
the waving grass. "In war.. the winners are usually the ones who want it the most.
Not the strongest, not the best armed.. all it takes is just refusing to lose." And
she flipped her sword over, and slid it into its sheath with a smooth motion.

They believed her, she could sense it. See it in their
faces. She let a smile cross her face. "All right, lets take a
break Ive done about all I can here for the moment." Oh boy.. was that
ever true. I hope I can actually make it back to the village. That would be embarrassing "
She was, she admitted to herself, exhausted. Gabrielles gonna kill me. Her
tired mind chuckled, and she looked up as Lestan ambled over and patted her shoulder.

"Mind if we sit down a minute.. I gotta ask you
something." He said quietly, cocking his head at her.

Xena shrugged. Sit down.. thats probably a good
idea. She realized, as her legs started to shake. "Sure." She waved a hand
at a convenient pair of stubby rocks poking out of the ground, and seated herself.

He followed suit, and stretched his legs out with a wince.
"Thanks." He sighed. And leaned back. "Havent had a workout like that
in years.. how do you do it?" He glanced at her, and got an amused grin back.
"If you say practice, Im gonna have to kill myself."

Xena laughed. "Sorry. Practice." She informed
him. A small silence fell, then she looked over at him. "Whats up?" She
plucked a strand of pale grass, and munched on the end of it, waiting for him to get
whatever it was off his chest.

Lestan studied her, chewing his lip. Beat around the
bush? No.. bad idea. Shes the type who just likes to get things over with. Ok..
"We want to adopt you."

"What?" The warriors brow creased, and she
stared at him. "Do I look like an orphan or something??" But she had a good idea
of what Lestan meant. Well that simplifies the backup plan. She mused.

"No no.." Lestan chuckled. "Its a
tradition of the clans, Xena. When we have someone who joins our clan from the outside, to
make them family, we adopt them. It gives them clan rights, and the right of protection
from anyone outside our group." He hesitated, then went on. "And.. since
youre going to be out there fighting with us tomorrow.. I thought " He
paused. "And because of your bond with Gabrielle also. We just think you two should
be.. uhm."

Xena put a hand on his knee. "Relax." She
reassured him. "I understand. And I appreciate that, Lestan, I really do. Let me talk
to Gabrielle and see how she feels about it before I say one way or the other."

He nodded. "Wennids talking to her too."
He looked up and grinned. "I hope you say yes." Then he put his hands on his
knees, and pushed with a groan. "I need to go get some lunch before I keel over. Can
I walk you back?"

"Sure." Xena nodded amiably, and rose to join
him, stretching her back and shoulders gingerly. But the shakiness was gone, and she took
a deep breath, feeling some measure of energy returning. "Lets go."

They walked in silence across the field, and through the
treeline that surrounded the village. The colder breeze under the trees shade felt
good, Xena realized, and she ran her hands through her hair, freeing it from her gambeson
to let the air hit the back of her neck. Whoa. That feels a lot better. She
chuckled. "Gwan, Lestan. Im going to take a walk to the stream and get a cold
drink." She gave Lestan a push towards his cot.

"Home looks good." Lestan agreed, and gave her a
nod. "Were having a big dinner tonight.. I hope you and Gabrielle will join us,
regardless of your decision. "

Xena gave him a wry grin. "Gabrielle miss out on a
banquet ? Never." She sighed. "Well be there."

She left him to amble home, and knelt by the stream,
drinking for several minutes from cupped hands, then splashing the cold water over her
head and face. That feels better. Her mind analyzed. At least I can go get
Gabrielle now and not worry about falling over in front of her. Id never live that
down. She got to her feet and headed back towards Lestans cot, where shed
heard Gabrielles voice a few minutes earlier.

Warrin stared at her coolly. "Be still, human. I
wont harm you."

She crossed her arms and studied him. How could they
have just maybe I dont understand them as well as I thought. Her mind
raced. "Oh.. you only do that in the dark? When your victim cant see you
coming, is that it?" Her jibe hit the mark, and she saw his eyes narrow briefly.

"Have a care, human I gave my word no harm
would come to your or your friend.. " His voice rasped. "But if tomorrow brings
what I know will be the death of half my clan due to your involvement, I'll break that
word, and show you what our people really are."

"No you wont." The voice floated out from
behind them, and Gabrielle felt a wave of familiar warmth crash over her. Xena stepped out
of the shadows, and put herself squarely between Gabrielle and the formidable form that
face her. "Because one, Im not gonna let that happen."

Warrins eyes showed uneasy disdain. He threw a quick
glance to one side, as though trying to figure out where shed come from. "You
cant prevent it, dont you understand?" He said. "Youve taken
away our choices."

Xena stepped closer to him, right into the range of his
claws, and smiled. "Youll just have to take my word for that. " She
stepped even closer, until she could feel the wisps of fur on his chest rasping against
the quilted tunic she wore, and could smell the musky scent of him. "And if you
ever.." Her voice dropped to a silky rasp. "Touch her again Ill show you
up close and personal what it means to be Ares Chosen. "

A silence dropped over them, as the two warriors stood
with locked eyes. Gabrielle could see the tension in Xenas shoulders, despite the
casual stance and knew her partner was on a razors edge, needing only the barest of
movements from Warrin to throw her into battle.

"Are you threatening me?" Warrin whispered, in
an ice-cold tone. His fur lifted on his back and his nostrils flared.

Xena gave him a lazy smile that had no warmth in it at
all. "Yes."

A long pause, then Warrin stepped back a pace.

"Your arrogance will be the death of us." Warrin
stated flatly, but his body language signaled defeat, and he turned and disappeared down
the shadowed path next to Lestans cot.

Xena took a breath, and released it, letting her head drop
forward for a moment. Damn Im glad he didnt push that. She tilted her
head and regarded Gabrielle, who had moved closer and slid an arm around her waist.
"Thought you werent going to see him without an escort."

Gabrielle gazed up at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Thought you said you were going to take a break when you got tired." She
responded, maintaining a cool expression, and daring her to deny it.

And got a wry smile back, and a long arm settling around
her shoulders. "I know I did. And I meant to..." Xena admitted, with a heartfelt
sigh. "But if were going to fight tomorrow, I needed to know just how hard I
could push."

The bard considered this for a moment. "And you
pushed really hard." It wasnt a question, because she could see the strain in
her face, and feel the effort it was taking her to move.

Xena took a long breath. "Yeah." She admitted
very quietly. "But its better I know now."

Well, she has a point. "So whats the
verdict?" She snuggled closer, forgiving her for the moment.

"On me, or them.?" Xena asked, as they walked
towards their assigned cot.

"Yes." The bard answered, giving her a squeeze.

"Mmm if the battle ends before noon tomorrow,
I'll be fine. " The warrior replied. "And they might have a chance at winning,
if they keep their heads, and do what I tell them to."

Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully, then looked up, seeing in
her eyes just how far shed pushed herself. "And if it doesnt and they
dont?"

Xena walked a few steps in silence. "If it
doesnt and they dont.. well, well have to go to plan B." She
answered, taking a another deep breath and releasing it.

"Whats plan B?" Gabrielle persisted,
wanting to know the worst.

And got a quirky grin back. "I dunno.. but when I
figure it out, Ill tell you."

Gabrielle sighed. "I was afraid of that." She
chewed on that for a minute. "Do they really have a chance?" She studied
Xenas profile. Or are you depending on everything landing on your shoulders? As
usual? As always

The warrior nodded. "Yeah, they do." With me
leading them. Im the one crucial factor.. and gods know, I hope Im up to it.

Gabrielle laid her cheek against Xenas shoulder and
gave her another hug. "Come on, hero. " Her lips quirked. "Lets get
you some lunch and a nap before you fall over." Daring Xena to contradict her.

"That sounds really great." The warrior
sighed, not bothering to dissemble. She negotiated the steps carefully, and reached out,
grabbing the door pull and opening the wooden portal for Gabrielle to pass before her. She
followed the bard inside, and stopped short as Ares bounded over and thumped up against
her legs, yawning in an ecstasy of greeting.

"Roo!!!" He yodeled, tail going furiously.
"Roo!"

Xena dropped a hand onto his head, and grinned.
"Hello to you to, Ares." She was about to kneel down and play with him when a
pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders, and she was pushed towards the low couch.
"Hey cut that out."

"Not until you sit down." Gabrielle kept up her
steady pushing until Xena relented and half dropped, half fell into the pillows, laughing
as Ares scrambled up next to her and put his paws on her chest, licking her face with
aggressive vigor. "Ares.." the warrior growled.

"Grr " The wolf growled back, but settled
down on her lap, panting.

Xena patted the wolfs soft fur, and let her head
rest on the back of the couch, idly studying the ceiling and letting her mind drift until
she felt a gentle hand on her forehead, and focused her gaze on Gabrielles concerned
face. "Hey." Gods.. did I just go out like that? "Sorry.."

"Here." The bard said quietly, handing her a
steaming cup. "Drink this.. " She slid onto the couch next to her partner, and
put a supportive arm around her shoulders as she sat partway up and took a sip.

"Not bad." Xena said, giving the bard a grin,
and trying to deny just how much she needed that supporting arm. The soup helped though,
and so did sitting quietly while Gabrielle threw together a large plate of meatrolls,
which they shared, along with most of a fresh loaf of bread the bard had gotten, that was
still warm from the oven.

She felt a trickle of energy returning, and she used that
to stretch out her length across the couch, and pull Gabrielles body down beside
her.

"Hey!" The bard yelped, grabbing at the edge of
the couch and missing. "Whoa.. cut that out."

Xena just grinned as Gabrielle lost her balance and
collapsed onto the couch, half sprawled across the warriors body. "Nu uh
I like that." She growled, and wrapped her arms around the bard, holding her in place
and feeling the giggles go through her. "So.. tell me about your day?" She
asked, as the bard got over her surprise and relaxed against her.

"The usual." Gabrielle tried to stifle a yawn
and failed. Xenas warmth was very seductive, and she felt her bodys rhythm
slowing as she nestled closer. Now.. why am I tired? She puzzled quietly. All I
did was run around and talk to people. She stretched lazily and felt the tension
leaving her body as Xena gently rubbed her back with light fingertips. "Uhm..
lets see. I had the usual Explaining the Warrior Princess lecture with Wennid, and
passed some kind of test with a gaggle of her friends that were over there when I showed
up."

"The what lecture?" Xena laughed, and felt
Gabrielle laugh a little too.

"Oh.. you know." The bard mumbled into her
shoulder. "the Whats she really like  one.. everybody asks me.
" She yawned again. "Damn.. dont know why Im so sleepy all of a
sudden. .you must be a bad influence." She started to get up, but her body refused to
obey and she simply collapsed again and gave in to the insideious craving. "Ungh..
guess Im staying here."

"Having problems, my bard?" Xena asked, kissing
the top of her head, and chuckling softly. "We got up pretty early. .and after that
lunch you just ate, Im not surprised youre sleepy. " She teased, tickling
her ribs. Mmm? Guess Id better stay awake just in case, huh.."

"I think Im just addicted to you."
Gabrielle answered in a lazy tone. "I should get up and work on those scrolls, or get
some staff practice in, but I have absolutely no desire to do anything other than stay
right here and snuggle." She unbuckled the leather belt and slid a hand inside
Xenas gambeson, starting to trace her gentle patterns there. "And you will not
stay awake, you goof." She was rewarded by an involuntary fluttering of eyelids over
amused blue eyes. Thats it come on.. you need this, and you know it.
"Are we going to let them adopt us, by the way?"

Xena let her eyes close as she considered the question. Couldnt
have kept them open anyway.. gods, she has that trigger down pat. "What do you
think?" She finally asked, to buy time. I want this  but not for the reason
she thinks because there is a plan B.. I just hope to Hades I dont need to use
it.

Gabrielle hesitated, then shrugged. "I guess
whats bothering me is that Im not really sure why theyre doing it.. I
mean sure were going to help them out tomorrow, and youll probably do
something or other amazing and save the day, but " She sighed. "I still get
the feeling that most of them dont trust us. So.. what gives?"

"Mmm." Xena agreed. "I get the same
feeling." She stroked Gabrielles hair with a gentle rhythm. "Maybe more of
them agree with Warrin." Her brow quirked above her closed eyes. "Not like
theyd be the first people not to trust me, right?"

Gabrielle felt her breath catch at that, and she studied
the still face carefully. Trust and personal loyalty were touchy subjects with Xena..
always had been. She knew her reputation preceded her, and had gotten used to strangers
assuming she was a bloodthirsty killer.. But from those that knew her more closely..
distrust from them hurt her. Gabrielle knew.. shed made that mistake once, and never
forgotten it.

It had been the stupidest of circumstances just a
shopping trip in one of the larger cities around Athens, and she had decided to try and
surprise Xena with a present. That was always hard, since the warrior didnt do
shopping much, and didnt have a lot of extraneous possessions to base any possible
purchases on.. after all, how many leather gauntlets can one woman have, right?

So shed rigged up some dumb story to get out on her
own for a while, and had bumped into an old acquaintance from the Bards Academy, and
made a pretty pleasant day of it, since Aaron would have none of her going around the
market by herself, and insisted on accompanying her. Shed even found a great set of
sharpening stones to give Xena, correctly assuming a warrior could never have too many of
those.

But shed forgotten how arrogant Aaron was.. and when
theyd finally ended up back by the Inn they were staying at, hed disdained the
rough lodgings, and insisted she accompany him to his hostel, several blocks away. She had
been on the verge of refusing, when Xena had brusquely told her to go on, that she had
something she needed to attend to, and that shed meet back up with her tomorrow.

Aaron, who had really no idea who Xena was, took in the
rough hewn clothes the warrior was wearing, and her acerbic speech, and made an
assumption, which led him to sniff in her direction, and state that hed love to
invite her as well, but it was obvious she couldnt be trusted not to stab one of her
tablemates for their dinner.

And here, Gabrielle knew shed made a grave error.
She should have taken Aaron down verbally, and sent him on his way, but she was confused
by Xenas angry behavior, and so had said.. nothing.

As though she had agreed with him. And behind those icy
blue shields that she had only recently started to be able to see through, she saw a look
of profound hurt that nearly made her heart stop. Then it was gone, and Xena had stood,
and put her hand on her sword hilt, and given him a look that made him back up, dragging
Gabrielle with him out the door.

Shed gone the length of the street with him, her
heart growing heavier with each step, until she stopped. And turned, looking back at the
inn. "I have to go back." Shed said to Aaron, who thought she was crazy.
"Maybe I am.. but you just really hurt a friend of mine, and I have to go fix
that."

Aaron had laughed at her. "Thats a friend of
yours?" He pulled on her arm. "What.. you keep her around to do a little hunting
for you? She looks like an animal."

And Gabrielle had felt a slow burning fire in her erupt
without warning, as she jerked her arm free, and slugged him with all the strength she
could muster, connecting with his face with an audible crack that sent a jolt of red hot
pain up her arm, but she didnt care. "Dont you ever." She yelled,
grabbing him and shaking him hard. "Ever talk about her like that. " She hit him
again, and he started to whimper. She shoved him away from her violently, and he stumbled
off, giving her a look one usually reserved for a mad person.

Shed gone back to the inn, but Xena hadnt been
there., so knowing her companion, shed gone outside and entered the stable.

And had frozen at the site of Xena standing quietly next
to Argo, her arms wrapped around the golden neck, and her face buried in the mares
thick cream mane. Just for an instant, until she sensed Gabrielles presence, and
straightened up, pulling a comb through the thick hair, and arranging it neatly along the
mares bowed neck.

"Thought you were going cross town." Xena had
said, in a cool voice, as she worked. Keeping her eyes glued on the pale stiff hairs, and
not looking up at Gabrielle.

"I dont want to hang out with idiots."
Gabrielle had replied, joining her at Argos side, and stroking the golden shoulder
gently. "I'd rather be here with you." Because it was the only thing she could
think of to say that might make a start at fixing this mess.

And Xenas hands had stilled, as she turned and gazed
at Gabrielle. "Its all right. It doesnt matter." Her eyes had
dropped to the straw. "Im used to people not trusting me to act like a.. decent
human being." She took a deep breath and shrugged. "I just didnt expect
that from.. you." Shed swallowed hard after getting the words out, and
then just shook her head, and sighed. "I just I thought.." Then she had
stopped speaking, and went back to currying Argo. "Forget it."

Gabrielle had felt that pain like it was her own, and had
moved closer, and put a hand on the warriors arm. "Thats not how I think
of you." Shed said softly. "And you know that. "

Xena hadnt answered, just went back to her currying,
so Gabrielle had gotten right up against her, and forced eye contact "You do know
that, right?"

And finally had gotten a reluctant grin from her
companion, and light nudge in the belly. "Yeah, I do." Then her hand had been
captured, and Xenas eyes were pinned on hers. "What happened to your
hand?"

Gabrielle had blushed, remembering. "I.. um
"

"Gabrielle, thats broken." Xena had said,
examining the aching bones gently. "Damn I need to.. what did you do?"

"I hit him." Gabrielle answered, in a faint
voice, now that the pain was hammering at her. "He said.. something bad about you and
I got mad and I just " Her head was buzzing, and now she was aware of
Xenas arm supporting her, and leading her to a small bench. "Oh gods, that
hurts."

Xena had sat down next to her, and set Gabrielles
hand down gently on her own knee. "I'll have to block off Shed stopped
speaking, and paused. "Wait a minute.. " She raised a hand and captured the
bards jaw. "You were defending my honor, Gabrielle??" Her voice was an odd
mixture of pride, disbelief, amusement, and something indefinable.

And Gabrielle had looked up into her eyes, and grinned
bravely. "Sure.. youve got so much of it .. I thought you could use a hand
defending it." The blue eyes widened, and shed let her voice drop a little.
"And I mean every single word of that." Very aware of the hand still cupping her
chin, and the blue eyes so close to hers, and the rich scent of leather and metal and skin
that always meant Xena to her.

A long still moment passed between them, then Xena leaned
forward, and gently kissed Gabrielles forehead. "Thanks." She whispered
into the nearby ear. "But next time?"

"Yeah?" Gabrielle responded, enjoying the
closeness.

"Kick him in the groin., OK?" The warrior
sighed, and blocked the nerves to her hand.

Gabrielle smiled gently in remembrance. Another
milestone in our long journey.. she mused. "Well, I guess it cant hurt us
any, if we say yes." Meaning the adoption.

Xena grunted in response, and grinned as she felt
Gabrielles body slowly go completely limp against her. Fell asleep before I
did thatll be good for a tease later. She cracked open one eye, and
regarded her partner in some amusement, then scanned the room, judging the sounds she
heard outside and deciding it would probably be safe for her to take a short nap. She
checked the position of her sword, lying sheathed along her right leg, and gave Ares one
last pat before closing her eyes and joining the bard in sleep.

"So." Secan drawled leaning back in his large
chair and throwing a powerful leg over the arm of it. "Tell me." Hed just
gotten back from a recon to their own northern border, and it was the first chance
hed had to get a report from his favorite lieutenant, about his parley the day
before.

"Good news, and bad." Kelten said, pulling up a
low stool, and seating himself in front of his leaders desk. "Which?"

"Bad." Secan said immediately, propping his
sunset red furred head up on one hand. "Always."

Kelten nodded, and sniffed reflectively. "Bad news
is, shes.. about what the stories say she is." He gazed at his hands, as they
twisted each other. Remembering those ice-cold eyes that scared him far more than a
humans should. "The rest of those grazers just rolled over for me, but not
her.. no.. she got right up in my fangs and threatened me."

Secans shaded eyebrows rose. "No, really?"
He showed his large fangs in amusement, and took a deep draft of the ale in front of him.

The silver forest dweller snorted a little, and shook his
head. "Yes, really." He looked up. "You know we tried to dart her."

"Yeah? You said you were going to give that a
try." Secan said, a fascinated look crossing his handsome face. "Did Selwyn
miss?"

Silver hair flew as Kelten shook his head hard.
"Nope.. and it wasnt even like she was trying.. she just was walking along, and
I heard his mech release, then the thing was in her hand, and she was sort of.. playing
with it. You know.. flipping it over, that kind of thing. "

"Whoa." Secan stuck the tip of his tongue out.
"So.. what did she threaten to do to you?"

"Make me into a rug." Kelten admitted. "And
I gotta tell you Sec, I believed her."

"Did you." Secan said softly, taking a sip of
his ale, and leaning back. "Damn.. I wanted her and not just because of what
she did to Elusha. I wanted her here, so I could play with her remember what I did
to that last human we caught?" His eyes glittered. "She lasted a week. Bet this
one would last a month."

"If she didnt kill you in the first
candlemark." Kelten added dryly. "But anyway, the good news is, you dont
have to worry about her getting in the middle of our little war."

Secan tilted his russet head and regarded his lieutenant.
"Oh?" He ran his tongue around his fangs. "Not that I was worried
anyway."

"Shes lifebonded." Kelten said quietly,
watching Secans face for a reaction, and not being disappointed as the big
leaders eyes rounded, and he sat up straighter in his chair.

"No way." He breathed. "Humans
cant ." Then he stopped, and chuckled. "Well, I always said that was
our softer side.. now I have proof. Is she really?"

"Yes way." The silver forest dweller
acknowledged. "Shes got this little bit of a thing she keeps tied to her tail,
and brother are they ever tied.. they stand out like a bald wolf in a pack reunion."

Secan laughed. "Better and better well
take out that grazer village tomorrow.. and after I finish making my point with their
precious lifebonds, well take our little humans back here and have some real fun.
You think that warrior would like to be chained up to my table here, while I burn our
alphabet into her little bondmate?"

Kelten considered the idea. "Hmmm that might be
fun.. then are you going to take her right on the table? " His eyes glinted.
"Maybe we could make the little one into a rug, you think? She has nice hair.. kind
of like Jerushas."

Secan laughed deep in his throat. "No.. Ill
make a whip out of it.. and use it on the warrior. " His face creased into a dark
smile. "Its definitely going to be a fun day. And after we finish with this
one, weve got a few more of the peace lovers down along the coast to take care of.
Then " His fangtips showed. "Then.. I have a taste for human blood."
He took a long sip of his ale. "What amusement around the fire this evening, my
friend?"

Kelten stood, and straightened a kink out of his spine.
"Selwyns the amusement." He smirked, and waggled an eyebrow at Secan.
"Not only did he miss, he let them catch him."

Secan laughed. "I see well, when youre
done, you can toss him into the grazers village.. Ares knows they take all the other
flotsam and jetsam that floats to the top around here. " He stood and yawned,
towering over Kelten from his nearly 8 foot height. "They even took in that blind
whelp of mine, would you believe it? What fools. Natures law is very simple, Keltie.
"

Kelten nodded in agreement. "The strong survive and
breed. The rest, die." He glanced down, then up at his leader again.
"Secan?"

His pale eyes met Secans striking russet ones.
"Be careful with her." His nostrils flared. "There was something
there I dont know what it was, but shes no grazer."

Secans hand lifted, and patted his cheek gently.
"No, I know that." His fangs glinted. "Believe me, dearest friend,
Ill treat her with the utmost care." He slid a muscular arm across
Keltens pale shoulders. "Come on.. were missing the fun." They
passed out of the door to his quarters, and made their way down the neat path to the fire.
"You think you can make him squeak like the last one?"

"Maybe. Kelten drawled. "Can I use your
dagger?"

"Sure." Secan said, as they passed from the
darkness, into the rich red firelight and were greeted with enthusiasm.

Elaini folded the blanket that had been on the cot neatly,
and put it away, shaking her head a little and muttering to herself. She looked up when
the door opened, and then an involuntary smile crossed her face. "Didnt think
youd be back." She commented, turning around and leaning back on a nearby
table.

Jessan grinned bashfully, and moved all the way into the
room. "Hmm well.." It was like.. a heavy cloud had been lifted from him,
and he wasnt really sure about what to do with himself. "Looks like Xena did
the right thing.. I guess. I feel a lot better." He walked over to her quietly.
"And I owe you an apology for being such a lump."

Elaini glanced down, away, at the table, anywhere but up
into his golden eyes. "Sallright." She shrugged. "Im glad
youre feeling better." She snuck a peek at his face, and saw the gentle look
there, and was lost. The next thing she knew, his fingers were lifting her chin, and those
eyes were meeting hers, and she had no defenses. "Jessan.."

He smiled gently at her. "Tell me you dont feel
that." He challenged, brushing his fingertips down her jawline, and watching her
nostrils flare in response. "Tell me."

"I cant." Elaini whispered. "You know
that." She put a hesitant hand against his chest, and felt his breathing catch.
"I cant Jessan, weve known each other forever.. I
dont "

Jessan moved closer, feeling her hands go flat against the
fur of his chest. "Happens sometimes. You know that." He reached up and smoothed
the hair out of her eyes. "Its real, Elaini. Mother Saw."

Her eyes closed, and she felt her breathing deepen. This
cant be happening But her mind knew it was. Were too old it
never happens this way But her heart, already happily building a bridge to his,
knew better. "Gods." She breathed.

"Mmm." Jessan agreed, and took her into his
arms, feeling the rich golden warmth of a forming lifebond for the first time. Now I
know why it changed Xena this would change anyone.. even Ares himself.

They stood like that for a timeless moment, then
reluctantly parted and looked at each other.

"Uhm.. Jessan said, blushing furiously.
"Actually, I came over to ask you to go to the dinner tonight with me."

Elaini smile a little, and traced the line of his fur down
the center of his chest. "Sure."

Another long silence. Then Jessan cleared his throat.
"Were getting two new clan members tonight, you know."

"I heard." Elaini responded. "They agreed,
then."

Jessan nodded his golden head. "They did. Im
glad."

Another silence, shorter this time. "So.. whats
going to happen tomorrow, Jess?" Elaini asked quietly. "Ive seen
Secans fighters. We dont really have a chance do we? What will they do with
us?"

Jessan took a deep breath, and laid his wrists on her
shoulders. "Elaini, dont worry. Xenas here."

"And..???" Elaini objected. "So.. what is
one human fighter, no matter how skilled, going to do to make a difference? Will a half
dozen more of Secans lot gets killed? It wont change the outcome."

"Shell get us out of this." Jessan
replied, with endless confidence in his voice.

"How can you say that? How do you know, Jess?"
Elainis voice was getting upset.

He clasped her face in his hands, and gazed deep into her
eyes. "Because she said she would." Remembering her going against his entire
clan that morning, her blade moving so fast, they couldnt even see it. Taking them
all one with a single-mindedness of purpose that allowed for no defeat.

Elaini sighed, and let her head rest against his arm.
"I wish I had your belief." She looked up. "Because Im scared,
Jessan. Very scared that after tomorrow, nothing will be left."

He smiled a little at her. "Youll see." He
let his thumb trace her cheekbone. "This time, tomorrow, well be sitting
comfortably in our hall, listening to the storytellers tell the tale of it. "
He glanced at the window. "Come on.. Xena and Gabrielle are waiting for us to walk
over."

He guided her to the door, and opened it for her. They
both smiled at each other, and passed through, to the porch where two now familiar forms
were leaning casually. "Lets go."

And the passed into the darkness, flickers of cloud
scattered moonlight reflecting fitfully against hides of yellow and gold, and off tanned
skin and deep hued linen.

The long, low hall was gently buzzing, as there was a
break in the storytelling and the packed crowd was free to make conversation with their
neighbors. The torches lighting the walls snapped fitfully in the mild breeze from the
large windows, and the fireplace let off the hot smell of fire warmed granite along with
the remaining scent of cooked meat.

Xena leaned back in her chair, and propped one foot up
against a table support, surveying the room with idle approval. Every fighter, in fact,
every resident of the village was present, crammed into a space that seemed to Xena far
too small to hold them. She had kept her wits, in fact, only because she had picked a seat
right next to one of the open windows, and thereby had a nice breeze riffling through her
hair and an open space behind her that made it bearable.

Still, she pressed her back against the chair, which was
pushed flush to the wall, and sighed, as she let her eyes drift over the crowd, coming to
rest on Gabrielles animated form, as the bard leaned over the table talking. Xena
felt a smile come unbidden to her face, and indulged herself in it, watching her partner
make a point with a well placed hand gesture. Ive watched her do this a thousand
times. And every time, its different. She just captures these people.. snares in
their hearts and never even realizes shes doing it. She bit her lip to keep from
grinning. Just like she captured mine.

It had been a shock, really, the first time shed
come wearily into a tavern they were staying by, and caught Gabrielle in the middle of a
story.. about her. She hadnt been sure whether to be embarassed or mad, or both, or
a little flattered to be honest. But shed slipped into a seat in the rear of the
room, hidden in shadows and out of the bards line of sight. And shed just
listened.

It was one of their milder adventures, to be sure, but the
sound of Gabrielles clear, sometimes slightly hesitant voice describing what
theyd done.. how theyd done it.. and shed gotten to see herself through
the bards honest eyes for the first time.

Thats not me shes talking about. Was her first
reaction. But she knew the story, and eventually had to come to the conclusion that
this rational, brave, heroic person the bard was describing however unlikely she
deemed it, was supposed to be her.

It changed something forever. She tried to deny that,
tried to convince herself it was just Gabrielles misguided hero worship speaking
through the bards voice. Tried to tell herself that it was just silliness.

But those clear, green eyes had held a conviction that
drew her in, and for a tiny, short while in that wood smoke filled tavern, shed
gotten a glimpse of a possibility.

Then it had ended,and the crowd eagerly thanked her, and
asked for more, and the bard had produced a delighted grin, which froze as her eyes lifted
above the heads of the front rows, and met Xenas own, there in the shadows.

Shed stumbled all over herself as they walked
outside. "Uh.. I didnt think youd be back..I wanted to.. try that out I
mean I didnt want to get you.. or maybe youd be embarassed, or angry
or.."

"Gabrielle." Shed said quietly.

"Look.. Xena, Im sorry..I didnt
mean.."

"GABRIELLE." Xena had raised her voice.

"Yyyes?" The bard had stammered, sending her
eyes anywhere but up to meet Xenas.

Xena had gripped her shoulders, the unusual physical
contact making the bard start in surprise,and look up. They had looked into each
others eyes for a long instant, before Xena had spoken.

"Look.." Shed said, searching for words.
"No ones ever What I mean is most of the stories "
Shed given up. "Oh Hades. " Shed sighed. "Thank you, Gabrielle.
It was a very good story."

The bards eyes had widened,and gentled. "You
didnt mind?"

"No." Had come the answer. Then,
"Youre quite the storyteller."

And Gabrielle had hesitantly clasped the hands still on
her shoulders. "I have a lot of inspiration." Shed said.

Xena had smiled, and patted the bards cheek.
"Cmon. For that, you deserve a decent meal sitting down indoors for a change.
"

I"d gone from trying to find a way not to let her
drive me crazy, to inventing things to do for her..wonder if she realized it? Wonder if
she realized she just took my heart like a spoil of war. And that was a strange
feeling, Xena mused. Because Gabrielle was the first person in her life that shed
just surrendered everything to. Held nothing back. All the rest of her
involvements.. shed been in control of. Dictated exactly how far she was willing to
give, of herself, of her time

Not this one. The warrior admitted to herself. I
have no more control over this than I do the path of the sun. Her eyes studied
Gabrielles face. Damn..how can something this chaotic feel.. Her eyes closed
and she let a warm wave crest over her. So wonderful. Even the dark situation she
now found them in couldnt put a damper on that.

"Hey." Gabrielles voice startled her, and
she glanced up, to find the bard at her side, a concerned look on her face. "You all
right?"

Xena grinned sheepishly, and rubbed her temples with one
hand. "Yeah.. I was.. uhm." She sneaked a look at the bards face. Whoops.
"I was.. uh.. planning." She even managed to keep a straight face. "For
tomorrow."

"Uh huh. " Gabrielle remarked, perching neatly
on the arm of Xenas chair. "So.. like what part of tomorrow were you planning
that put that goofy grin on your face?"

The warrior laughed. "Ok.. you caught me. I was
daydreaming." She admitted, lacing her hands around her propped knee.
"Satisfied?"

"You?" The bard squeaked. "YOU were
daydreaming? About what?" And found herself being regarded by intent blue eyes, and
gifted with a half smile that brought its own answer. "Oh." She murmured
softly, feeling the blood heat her face. I put that look there? I did?

Xena broke off their absorbed gaze, and took a breath.
"Well done on the stories, by the way." She glanced up. "You changed around
the ending part on the Trojan War."

Gabrielle gave a little start, and rested her arm on
Xenas shoulder. "You noticed?" She let out a short surprised laugh.
"Didnt think you paid that close.." And saw the look in her partners
eyes and stopped. "Sorry. I know better." She finished quietly, touching the
backs of her fingers against Xenas cheek. "My own dumb lack of confidence just
poked its head up there."

To her surprise, Xena just nodded a little, and took a
deep breath. "I noticed." She said, giving Gabrielle a brief grin. "I liked
the change."

"Thanks." The bard murmured, studying her
closely. "How are you feeling? You look a little out of it."

And got a light shrug back. "Just thinking, really.
Different scenarios, that kind of thing." Xena reached over an picked up her cup,
taking a swallow of ale. "Its what I usually do the night before a
battle." She gave Gabrielle a nudge. "Besides, I had a really nice nap this
afternoon."

The bard rolled her eyes, leaned against the convenient
shoulder next to her. "I have only your word for that." She complained, having
been gently woken up by Xenas playful nibbling on her neck. "*I* wouldnt
know."

Xena laughed softly, and rested her head against
Gabrielles side. "Cross my heart, Gabrielle." She took another sip of ale,
and regarded the crowded room. Lestan had made a brief, informal announcement about the
clan adoption. Good.. short and simple, just how I like them. Xena mused. And they
had proceeded on with the banquet, which had been along the lines of stuff everyone as
full as possible, pour ale down their throats to relax them, then get the storytellers up
to get their minds off tomorrow.

It had worked, Xena chuckled, even, to a small extent, on
her. Shed enjoyed the meal, liked the ale, and allowed herself to get lost in
Gabrielles tales for most of the evening.

It really had been a nice nap, and she was feeling pretty
good, despite her mornings activities. This might even work she
considered, feeling Gabrielles fingers tangle themselves idly in her dark hair. And
if not she sighed inwardly. There was always plan B.

Plan B, which called for her to take a much more..
personal.. role in what happened tomorrow, above and beyond leading the forest
dwellers forces. Which would pit her directly against the enemys leader who,
by all reports and despite Lestans assurance, might be too much for her to handle.
And that was the first time ever that shed considered an opponent that way. Even
Hercules.. who any rational person would have avoided challenging, she lit into without a
thought.

Do I stake this entire village on something Im not
sure I can deliver? Was the question rattling around in her head. Only if
theres no other choice. The answer kept coming back, repeatedly. Because that
would have dire consequences not only for Lestans people, but also for her, death
being a likely result, and that would mean

Her mind slid past that, deliberately shunting the thought
off. What was that you told Hectator? People who go into battle thinking theyre
going to die, generally do? Knock it off, Xena. Theyre forest dwellers, just like
these guys here and you beat up 100 of them this morning. How bad could this possibly get?

The door opened, and a very dark furred forest dweller
stumbled in, scattering startled villagers until Jessan had the presence of mind to grab
him. "Restie?" Jessan rasped, holding him up. "What happened?"

By now, the group had quieted, and a small ring surrounded
the two of them. Jessan glanced up as his father appeared behind him. "He was on
north border duty." He quietly reminded Lestan. "Restie?"

"Hes mad." Restie got out, after taking a
large breath of the close air. "Hes lost his mind, Jessan. Hes going
to " His dark eyes flickered to Lestans face, then back. "If he wins
tomorrow, hes going to take the village apart.. hes going to kill all the
lifebonds."

"What?" Wennid gripped his arm, appearing as if
by magic next to her lifemate. "All of them?"

Resties eyes met hers and his nostrils flared.
"No. One of each pair."

A shudder passed through the room, bringing deathly
silence, in which the crackle of the cooking fire could be clearly heard.

And a voice fell into the well of quiet. "Why?"
Xena had threaded her way through the tightly packed crowd somehow, and was now standing
next to Jessan. Her pale eyes captured Resties dark ones.

The forest dweller snorted wearily. "Because he can.
Because he likes making other people hurt. That archer he brought to the village
today " He just stopped speaking and stared at the ground. "They branded
him."

A buzz went up, and Xena could feel the panic start to
build. She let it, for a moment, to allow Lestan a chance to calm his village, but the
tall leader was staring at Restie with a blank expression on his normally good-natured
face.

Now what? She felt her mind calming, her body relaxing
as she responded to the familiar tingle of danger circulating the room. Now I put a cap
on this. "All right, everybody calm down." She said, her voice quiet, but
penetrating. A hand touched her back, and she leaned into the contact, needing
Gabrielles comforting presence. The bard slipped into place next to her, and left
her warm hand on Xenas back as she watched the faces surrounding them.

Xenas voice caught their attention, and after a long
tense second, the buzz in the room dropped, and a very uneasy silence descended again. Everyone
always told me Im a natural born leader. Xena mused privately. Maybe
its just that Im always telling everybody to shut up, then I have to think up
a reason why they should. "You heard all this?" She questioned the dark
furred Resti quietly.

He nodded, eyes fixed on her. "Theyre making
noise enough to scare a deaf warthog over in their camp. I got into a tree not far, and
just listened for a bit. I heard.. that archer scream."

She nodded slowly. "So theyre pretty confident,
huh?"

Resti nodded. "Its not like they even think
theyre going to be fighting."

"Point one in our favor." Xena said, giving him
an easy smile, and she felt, in the little quiet after she spoke, that seductive tingle of
excitement as the fighters surrounding her shifted, and picked up her meaning.

"They think you wont fight." Resti added,
nape lifting as he unconsciously responded to the crackling air of energy around her.

"Point two in our favor." Now Xenas smile
turned feral, and she deliberately relaxed her posture, crossing her arms on her chest and
leaning on one leg while crossing the other at her ankles.

Resti took a deep breath, and nodded. "He wants
you." A glance went to Lestans face, which was darkening in anger. "He
wants you bad."

Xena was aware of the eyes on her, of the expectant
silence in the room that waited her response. Aware of Gabrielles tense body
brushing hers, and the rapid beating of the bards heart that she could see as a
fluttering at the base of her throat. "Well. She drawled, lifting an eyebrow
and chuckling. "Hed better be careful what he asks for. " She paused.
"He may just get it."

She felt the expanding circle of confidence that had her
at the center, and let her eyes travel around the room, collecting theirs. Xena knew, at
this moment, she held them neatly in her cupped palm, as she had done with armies since
shed been fifteen years old. They believed utterly, because she did. Or they
think I do. She quietly amended to herself. I only wish I had that option. Id
like someone to believe in, right now. "

"All right. So theyre coming in overconfident,
and they dont think well be much of a challenge." She nodded judiciously.
"Thats not a bad position. We can work with that."

Lestan let a smile cross his somber features.
"Xena.." His voice was very low, and hidden in the again rising buzz of the
room. "There is too much death in this. I dont want you part of it." His
eyes flicked to Gabrielles face. "Please."

Xena took a breath, and felt Gabrielles arm tighten
around her. She looked down at the bard, and found those mist green eyes fastened on hers.

"You took us into your clan, Lestan." Gabrielle
said, not looking at him. "What kind of clan members would we be if we ran at the
first sign of trouble?" Her eyes remained locked with Xenas, and gentle
promises passed between them. "Were in for the duration."

Ah Gabrielle Xenas mind caressed the
thought. "Shes right." That to Lestan, whose eyes held a resigned
understanding. "Besides, you need us." And felt a warm squeeze from Gabrielle at
the words. Had to train myself to say us, my bard. Hope you appreciate that. Even with
my other lovers, it was never us. Always me, and them. But you and I Ive think
Ive finally accepted that. "Time for us all to get some rest, I
think."

Lestan nodded, and raised his arm, commanding attention.
"Sleep now, the rousters will wake the fighters pre dawn. The rest of the village
will pack, and make ready to move if needed. No one, NO ONE gets caught behind, in any
case, for those carrion eaters."

They dispersed, filing slowly out of the hall and into the
dark of the cloud-covered night. Xena stayed a moment, reviewing last minute strategy with
Lestan, then gave him a shove towards the door. "Gwan, Lestan. Get some sleep. "
Her eyes fell on Jessan. "You too. "

Jessan stepped up to her, and their eyes met. Xena grinned
at him.

"You know." He breathed, smothering a smile. How
does she do that magic again, I suppose.

"I guessed." Xena drawled, patting the side of
his face. "Jess, Im glad for you."

Gabrielle just gave him a hug, and tugged his chest fur
with a smile.

"Thanks." He replied, shyly. Then his eyes
darkened, and he swallowed. "But if.."

Xena put her hands on Gabrielles shoulders, and
stepped closer to him, meeting his eyes over the bards head. "Dont."
She said softly. "Because Im not gonna let that happen." And with that,
the battle crossed the line with her, and became very personal.

Because she was, she suddenly realized, one of the people
Secan meant to devastate with his insanity. Hed kill Gabrielle... and a fierce jolt
of anger shook Xenas body, and sent an icy mask over her features. "Get some
rest, Jess." Her voice held a chill in it, and the forest dweller backed a step.

Gabrielle felt it, saw the subtle shift in her features,
and turned, sliding her arms around Xenas waist and looking up at her.
"Hey." She called softly, watching the icy blue eyes slowly track to hers, and
look through her for an endless moment, before they focused, and warmed, and brought her
partner back to her. She tugged hard on the warrior, and was rewarded with a quirky half
grin. "You too, hero."

Xena nodded. "Yeah." She said, "Lets
go." She steered the bard towards the door, pushing Jessan ahead of them.
"Tomorrows going to be a long day. "

Gabrielle walked slowly through the darkness of the
central grassy square, aware of the soft voices on all sides, and the comforting warmth of
Xena's hand resting casually on her back. Sidelong glances told her that the warrior's
face was tense and still, and she remained quiet, giving Xena time to assimilate the
information of the evening.

What's she thinking? The bard wondered, studying that
angular profile. Then an idea occurred to her. I could just ask her. That was a new
thought, she pondered, as was the very real possibility that her close-mouthed partner
just might tell her. She waited until they were inside the cot, though, before putting a
hand on Xenas side, feeling the warm skin through the coolness of the fabric
covering it.

The warrior half turned towards her, and raised an
eyebrow, focusing her attention on the bard. "What?"

"Dinar for your thoughts?" Gabrielle asked
evenly, moving a little closer, and allowing herself to feel their connection. Knew that
Xena was feeling it too, from the involuntary smile that shaped her lips, and the almost
unconscious lifting of her hand to the bard's cheek. "What's bothering you?" And..
how far we've come, she silently mused that I can now just ask her that. Question
is, will she tell me?

Xena's eyes searched hers, and her mouth quirked.
"The fact we're going to fight against a homicidal maniac tomorrow?" She offered
tentatively, brushing her thumb against the bard's cheekbone. "Lotta things can go
wrong, Gabrielle." Her voice had dropped to a near whisper. "I don't.." She
fell silent, unable to voice her fears.

But the bard understood, and sat down on the low couch,
tugging Xena down with her. The warrior collapsed onto the cloth surface with an
uncharacteristic lack of grace, and spread both arms out across the back, stretching her
long legs out and crossing them. After a minute, she rolled her head to one side, and
regarded Gabrielle soberly.

"Stakes just got a lot higher, huh?" Gabrielle
asked seriously. And got a nod back in confirmation. Do I go serious here, or try to
get her to relax a little? No.. no serious stuff before going to sleep. There's enough
time for that tomorrow. "So.. what is it with us? Do we just attract disasters,
or something?" She made a disgusted noise, and was rewarded with a wonderful, full
smile. "I mean it, Xena. If we went to go buy lunch, we'd cause at least one small
war, the theft of the village temple altar, and the birth of a three-headed goat. I
swear."

Xena started laughing, and reached over, grabbing
Gabrielle's arm and pulling her squawking across the couch. "C'mere." She said,
wrapping the bard up in a fierce hug.

Well, that worked. Gabrielle sighed in satisfaction,
as she burrowed happily into the warrior's warm embrace. "Did I ever tell you just
how much I love when you do this?" She mumbled, then tilted her head back to gaze
fondly up at Xena.

The warrior smiled back, and kissed her gently.

"Mmm..." Gabrielle chuckled deep in her throat.
"That too." She rested her head against Xena's shoulder, and took a breath.
"This.. makes it harder, doesn't it?" The words were out before she thought
about it, and she felt Xena's breathing catch. Thought we weren't going to do serious,
Gabrielle..where in Hades did *that* come from?

Xena smoothed the red gold hair out of her partner's eyes,
and let her fingers trail down the down soft cheek. "Yes, it does." She admitted
quietly. "It raises the stakes.. beyond price."

A long still moment, when the only sounds were two sets of
gentle breathing, the subtle popping of the fire, and the fading noises from outside
coming in the window. Even Ares was motionless, lying tucked under Xena's extended legs.

"No regrets, Gabrielle." The warrior murmured.
"No second thoughts, no what ifs." Her eyes were very serious. "Just
something I have to take into account, that's all."

The bard closed her eyes, and let her fingers tangle into
the soft cloth shirt Xena was wearing. Then she sighed, and raised her glance up again.
"I'm going with you tomorrow morning." Her tone was inflexible. "I'm not
staying behind here."

No, never again, my bard. Xena thought silently, we'll
do what we do together. "Of course not." She acknowledged, feeling
Gabrielle's heart skip a beat where the bard was pressed hard against her. "Who would
watch my back?" She put a fingertip on the bard's nose. "I'm counting on
you."

But then she took a very deep breath. "Gabrielle.. if
it goes bad tomorrow.. " The bard's body went very still. "I.. want you to go
home." She paused. "Please. I'd like to know you'll be someplace.. " She
stopped. Gabrielle's hands clenched tight on her shirt, and she cleared her throat.
"Someplace where you'll be loved."

Gabrielle stayed very still, letting the words play over
and over in her mind until her breathing had settled, and she thought she might be able to
speak. And what she said was something that she'd made a decision on, during that long,
torchlit ride back from the mountain, with Xena's shallowly breathing form cradled in her
arms. "No." Her voice was steady, and she saw the widening of the blue eyes
locked with hers. "If something.. happens." She put a hand on Xena's cheek.
"You just wait a heartbeat for me, all right?"

"No." The word on an explosion of air "You
don't.."

"I do." Gabrielle spoke forcefully. "I can,
I will, and nothing you're going to say, or do is going to change the way I feel."
Her fingers twisted in fabric "I am not going to live like Warrin, Xena. Don't ask
that of me." Her voice cracked a little. "Please. Promise me you'll wait."

Xena felt her whole world shift, then settle down again.
Come on, Xena. You knew this. No matter what you told Lestan, and what you kept telling
yourself, you knew it. She felt a mass of tension dissolve as she let her heart accept
the concept. "On one condition." Came the quiet answer.

Gabrielle put her head back down on Xena's chest, and let
out a deep sigh. They sat in companionable silence for some time, gazing at the fire, each
lost in thought. Finally, Xena kissed the top of Gabrielle's head, and tightened her
grasp. "Let's get some sleep."

The bard yawned in agreement. "OK." She unwound
herself from Xena's arms, and stood, indulging in a long stretch. "Sounds like a good
idea." She extended a hand to the still seated Xena, and smiled when the warrior
grasped it firmly. "Come on."

Xena allowed herself to be hauled to her feet, then padded
over and stripped out of her light tunic, pulling a sleep shirt out of her saddlebags. She
turned in time to see Gabrielle do the same, and stepped closer to the bard, casting a
critical eye at the fading scratches on her stomach. "Looks ok." She pronounced,
running a finger over the smooth surface. "Lucky for him."

Gabrielle knew what she meant, and traced the lines
herself. "Yeah." She agreed quietly. "Doesn't even sting today."

Xena took the shirt from her, and gathered up the sleeves,
settling the fabric over the bard's fair head. "There." She chuckled, giving her
a pat on the side.

"Thanks." Gabrielle murmured, studying her.
"Bruises are gone." She commented, tapping lightly on Xena's chest, then
trailing her fingertips down the centerline of the warrior's belly, and felt the muscles
shift under her hand. Then she reached up and touched Xena's forehead. "What about up
here?"

"Suppose not." The warrior muttered, tilting the
bard's face up and studying it with a unhappy frown. "Gods, I'm sorry. If I'd just
been faster.."

"Whoa..whoa whoa..!!!!" Gabrielle barked,
grabbing Xena around the ribcage and shaking her. "Don't you even think about going
there." She would have laughed at the startled expression on the warrior's face if
she hadn't been so mad.

"OK..OK.." Xena blinked. "I was
just.."

"I know what you were just doing. " The bard
growled. "So just don't.. please?" She let her head bump Xenas collarbone.
"Not tonight."

Xena tilted the bards head up again and kissed her.
"All right." She murmured as they separated for s second, then resumed. The
warrior chuckled as Gabrielle moved closer, bringing their bodies into contact all along
their length. She wound her arms around the bard, and straightened up, lifting her off her
feet. "I can think of a better place to do this." She commented, as she walked
over to the bed, and launched both of them up a little, twisting in mid air so that
shed land on her back with the bard nestled on top of her. "There."

"Much better." Gabrielle mumbled, as her hands
explored and found bare skin, then sucked in a sharp breath as she felt a sudden, knowing
touch in return. "Gods.. Im sure glad you dont have cold hands." Was
her indistinct comment.

A low chuckle was the only response.

Pre-dawn brought a cold moist breeze into the window, and
Xena knew there would be fog outside when she looked. Wonderful. Her mind sighed. Foggy,
wet, cold morning. My favorite. She was glad she'd checked her leathers, and set them
near the fire to make sure they were dry. Getting into clammy, cold leathers and then into
chilly armor was one sure way to put her in a bad mood. And that was no way to start out a
day of battle. Xena decided, then paused and examined that thought. Or any other day,
for that matter. Gods, and I used to do it all the time. How dumb was that?

At the moment, however, she was still curled up in bed
with Gabrielle soundly asleep beside her, the bard's head resting on her shoulder with one
hand lying across her abdomen, and she allowed herself a few minutes of extra time to
enjoy the warm feeling before starting what she suspected would be a very long day.

Well.. time to get moving Regretfully, Xena raised her
left hand, and patted Gabrielle on the back. "Hey." She said, in a low voice.

"Mmm?" The bard stirred, and blinked her eyes
open. "What? Oh..." She gave a quick glance around the darkened cot. "Let
me guess, time to get up?"

"Uh huh." Xena remarked, giving her back a rub.
"Bout that time." And despite her own self doubts, Xena felt that old familar
tingle starting in the pit of her stomach, an anticipatation from that dark part of
herself that found a seductive thrill in pitting her fighting skills against an opponent.
That part of herself that always got loose during battle, and produced the deadliest of
results, and that ringing laugh. "Gotta go, love."

Gabrielle sighed, and wrapped her arm tighter for a
moment, giving the warrior one last hug. "All right. I'll go get us some
breakfast." She grumbled, releasing her grasp, and propping herself up on one elbow.

"Well, I don't.." Xena started, then stopped as
Gabrielle gave her a stern look. "OK, sounds like a good idea." She amended,
managing to keep a grin off her face. "I am a little hungry." She poked the
yawning bard out of bed and rolled out of the other side herself, stretching thoroughly
and giving herself a little shake. No point in saying I dont usually eat right
before fighting, because shes going to get me to one way or the other. Right? Right.
Just go with it.

Gabrielle got dressed in a long sleeved tunic against the
cold, and laced up her boots quickly, then trotted out the door, stopping for a moment on
the steps to adjust her night vision. The central area was already whispering with gentle
motion, dark shadowy forms crossed in front of her, throwing fog about in waves that
lapped at the edge of the porch she stood on. Far off, haloed by the wisps of fog were the
torches that ringed the circle of cots, throwing vague shadows off the trees, and the
weapons racks, and the moving forms of forest dwellers.

The smell of burning pitch came to her, and woodsmoke, and
the clammy, stinging scent of the fog itself that got into her lungs and brought an
unpleasant taste to the back of her mouth. "Ugh."she muttered, dropping down the
stairs and starting off towards the communal kitchen. "Hope Xena thinks to put hot
water on for tea while I go scrounge."

Xena had thought of it, in fact, and had set the water pot
on the fire while she ducked into the bathing room and let the reserviored water, now cold
from the night exposure, rinse over her. Drying herself off, she slipped her linen
undergarment on, padded over towards the fire, and stood regarding it for moment, then
lifted her repaired leathers from the chair back they were slung over, and slid them on,
fastening the shoulder straps with absent minded precision. Then she slid the upper arm
protectors on, and pulled the bracers up, but didn't lace them.

Gabrielle came in as she was lifting her breastplate over
her head, and settling the shoulder pieces, and paused as the bard put down what she was
carrying and trotted over to help.

"Here..let me," she muttered, pulling the
shoulder straps over and reaching for the buckles. "Hang on, these are loose."
She sighed, tugging the straps out of the fasteners and making them tighter. "Will
you hold still?" She gave the figeting warrior a light slap. "There... "
she slid around to face her partner, and patted the breastplate. "That's on the last
hole there, love." A tug on the leathers followed. "Pretty loose this one
took a lot out of you, didn't it?"

Xena blew out a long breath and fiddled with her shoulder
clasp. "Easy enough to get back." She replied, giving the bard a kiss on the
nose. "Especially if we're heading home." That got a smile back. "Give me a
hand with these damn bracers?"

Gabrielle tugged on the laces without comment, getting the
leather bracers settled, then sitting down on the edge of the bed and watching Xena lace
up her boots and strap on the heavy leg armor, adjusting the fitting with expert hands.

The warrior stood, and bounced twice on the balls of her
feet, settling the armor plates with a subtle clinking, then cocked her head and regarded
Gabrielle with a grin. "Did you mention breakfast?"

They shared the meat and cheese the bard had acquired,
along with a still steaming loaf of heavy grain bread that Gabrielle broke into small
chunks, and put a dab of honey on before popping in her companion's mouth.

"Mmm." Xena gave a satisifed hum, as she chewed
the flavorful bread. "Good choice, Gabrielle." She gave the bard a wink, then
stood, dusting off her hands, and crossed to the small table, where her weapons were laid
out in gleaming display. She clipped her sheath to her armor, and settled the daggers in
their respective sheaths, then secured the chakram. Took a breath, and gave Gabrielle a
nod."Time to go."

The bard stepped up to her, and put both hands on the
dully gleaming armor. "You be careful." Came the gentle reminder.

Xena took the bard's hands in her own, and raised them to
her lips. "Always." Then she pulled Gabrielle closer, and their lips met. And
when they parted, Xena wrapped her arms around her partner and squeezed hard, then
released her. "Come on."

"Aww." Gabrielle cooed, crouching down at
Xenas side, and scratching him behind the ears. "Its all right, Ares.
When you get a little bigger, mommy will take you out and show you how to bite people
." This got a dry look from the warrior.

"Maybe I"ll use you as a demostration victim.
" Xena mused, making a sudden motion of her head and capturing a fold of the
bards arm skin neatly in her teeth. "Mmmm.." Her eyes sparkled.

Xena kept her jaws locked for a moment longer, then
released them, as Gabrielles fierce pull moderated to a gentle riffling of hair
through her fingers, then a tracing of her partners angular features. Her green eyes
softened, and a smile shaped her lips "I love you." She whispered, with a tiny
shake of her head.

Blue eyes regarded her in silence for a space, then Xena
smiled. "I love you too." She answered, reaching up and clasping the bards
hand. "Come on." She released Gabrielles fingers, gave Ares one last pat,
and stood, taking a deep breath, and heading for the door.

Gabrielle grabbed her staff, and followed.

The warriors were gathered in front of Lestan's cot,
torchlight flickering off the soft sheen of their woven battlecoats that covered them from
shoulders to mid thigh. The heavy fog flowed around their legs, making them seem for all
the world like they were standing in a shifting pool of water, and that shifting pool
parted as they sensed Xena's approach, and cleared her a path.

In silence, with only the light wind and the fluttering
torches as a backdrop she strode forward, her steps muffled until she reached the porch,
and then the wooden planks sounded a solid echo as her weight hit them. A step more, and
she was even with Lestan, and his eyes were meeting hers with something approaching
relief. "Xena." He acknowledged her with a nod.

"Morning." The warrior said, in a normal voice.
She looked around the crowd and put her hands on her hips. "Nice fog."

Serious furred faces cracked hesitant grins. Gods.. Jessan
wondered, from his front row position. What a difference she makes. In armor, as she
hadn't been since they'd pulled her out of the rock slide, she gave off a dark energy that
made his nape hairs lift, and he felt himself getting excited.

Lestan repressed a smile, and carefully went over the
battle plan, making sure everyone listening understood what to do. Startled looks were
traded, then a palpable sense of relief washed over the waiting fighters.

Jessan snorted. "She conqured half of Greece. How
hard was it for her to come up with a tactic between two small forest clans?" He
rolled his eyes at Deggis. "You guys just dont get it yet, do you?"
He put his fanged jaws close to Deggis sensitive ear. "Its not just the
fighiting..shes got a brain, doofus."

His cousin flinched, and rubbed the ear. "Ouch.
" He complained, scowling. "Ok..Ok.. I get it." He sighed, kicking the fog
around his knees and watching it disperse. "I just hope its enough."

The quiet trek through the pre dawn forest carried
its own burden of unreality, as the forest dwellers, no more than shadows, waded
through the thick blanket of smoky fog, scattering small clumps of it before them. Even
the nightbirds were silent, as though the forest was holding its breath in wait for the
violence to come

They came to the assigned place, at the assigned time,
when the first tint of gray was invading the eastern sky, and paused, settling their
alignment carefully. Xena stood behind a fallen tree, one hand resting lightly on the
crumbling bark, the other fiddling idly with a leather strap from her armor. Her eyes
constantly swept the opposing forest, finding the shadows and watching them for movement.

Gabrielle slipped quietly up next to her, glancing over at
the still dark treeline, then up at her face. "Xena?" She breathed, not wanting
to disturb the silence.

Gabrielle moved closer, until they could feel each
others body heat. "Whats plan B?" She asked, keeping their eyes
locked.

Xenas head cocked to one side slightly, and her lips
twitched. "Me and Secan." She answered, watching the bards face intently.

Her partner nodded. "Thought so." Then Gabrielle
looked across the way again, and back. "Why isnt that plan A?"

An unexpected question, and one that Xena had been hoping
not to have to answer. "What do you mean?" She asked, buying some time. Gods..
what do I tell her? What do I tell myself? That Im too scared to face him? To put my
life on the line?

The bard took a breath, and glanced around. "You
against the enemy leader.. thats an old one, Xena. Weve been there before..
so.. I mean, if they go up against each other, lots of people are going to die,
arent they?"

A sideways jog of the head. "Maybe." Xena
answered quietly.

"Right." Gabrielle sighed. "And not that I
want to see you do this.. but its more like you to save those maybes and put the
whole responsibility on your own shoulders. So why?"

Xena half turned, and let her forearms rest of the rough
bark, giving her head a little jerk towards the area facing them, which was starting to
achieve outline form from the pale glints of a dawning day. Shadowy forms could be seen,
the foremost a massive, dark furred, still body. She felt her heartbeat start to increase.
"Because Im not sure I can win." Her voice was very quiet.

"Always." Xena replied, at last turning and
looking Gabrielle square in the eye. "But not this time."

The bard took a breath, then a second. "Why?"
Whoa.. Gabrielle.. this is very very dangerous. Step carefully.

"I dont know." Came the tense, upset
answer. "I " She stopped, and just stared at the tree trunk, then in a
savage, frustrated motion slammed a fist against it. Bark exploded outward, showering both
of them. "You were right." The warrior sighed.

Gabrielle swallowed a few times, and shot a nervous glance
towards their adversaries, getting a clearer look at what must be Secan. Gods.. her
mind shivered. Hes huge. "Right about what?" She asked. "Xena,
you always find a way to come out on top, you know that."

The warrior studied Secan, who was now swaggering slowly
across the open space between the two groups, motioning with one lazy hand for Lestan to
approach. "Remember when you told me you thought I convinced myself to do
things?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle replied, in a small voice.
"I remember."

"Well, I think youre right. Only I cant
convince myself that I can throw myself into battle without fear anymore, Gabrielle, and
thats what my kind of fighting requires." Xenas face was set, and
Gabrielle could read tension in every line of her body.

"But this is different." Gabrielle mused.
"Because you have to decide ahead of time."

A nodded response. "Yeah." The warrior half
turned, and studied the bard, a look of regret on her face. She picked off pieces of bark
that had landed on Gabrielles shoulder. "Sorry."

Secans voice rang out over the lightening forest,
and they turned to listen. "So.. you showed up. Unexpected, but itll make for a
good drill." The russet forest dweller hooked his thumbs in his swordbelt, and leaned
back a little, obviously relaxed and in a good mood.

Lestan didnt answer. His mahogany eyes studied Secan
then flicked across his waiting fighters. Outnumbered. His mind sighed. But then
I knew wed be. Casually, he spat into the grass near his feet, and crossed his
arms. Stay cool.

Secan raised an eyebrow, and laughed. "Arent we
in a mood." He sauntered closer and picked a wildflower, twirling it between his
fingers. "So.. you got your pet humans here?" His eyes ranged through
Lestans ranks, searching. "I got plans for them, you know." He laughed,
and a fluttering of echoed humor ran through his line of fighters. "My fighters want
to know.. from an intellectual standpoint, of course, if its possible to interbreed
with the pathetic things. " His fangs showed in a huge grin. "Could only help
them, right?

Gabrielle felt her chest tighten, and her breath come
faster. "Hes crazy." She murmured, glancing up at Xena.

"He has Ares Gift." Came the quiet reply,
but there was a glimmer of something very cold starting to emerge in the restlessly
searching blue eyes.

Gabrielle took a breath, and thought hard about what and
who her companion was, and what she hoped to become. And whether or not there was any way
to reconcile the two realities. This could be my biggest mistake. Gods watch over me if
it is. "So do you." Her voice cut clearly, and calmly across the distance
between them.

Saw the shoulders jerk in response, and had bare seconds
to prepare herself before Xena turned and caught her gaze, and she had to grip her hands
behind her back to keep from reaching out and taking hold of her partner, so painful was
the look of quiet hurt in her eyes. "You do.. its part of you, Xena."

The dark head dropped, and Xena studied her boots quietly.
"I know." She finally said in a weary tone. "Its where most of my
fighting ability comes from." She turned her head and shot a glance at Secan, who was
still taunting a silent Lestan. "And every time I let that out, I slip further and
further back into the darkness, Gabrielle."

"No." The bard stepped forward and grabbed her
by the shoulders. "No.. thats not true." Her voice was shaking. "It
may be his gift, but the use to which you put it matters, Xena, it matters more than
anything else. And.." Her eyes lifted over the still bent head and found the enemy
leader. "If you use it to defeat evil.. thats all that counts."

"So." Secan stretched. "Shall we get this
farce over with? I have a banquet planned, and I dont wanna be late. " He
yawned. "Can I assume youre not challenging me? " One russet eyebrow
quirked.

Lestan didnt move, but he moved his shoulders in a
certain way, and his fighters shifted their weapons to a ready position. Ill die
today. Lestan mused, knowing Secan would come straight for him. Ive had a good life.
His mind drifted for a moment to Wennid, and the quiet scene at their cot this morning
when theyd said goodbye. Ive been blessed more than most of my kind.
"Come ahead, you son of a rabbit." His voice rang out over the rose tinted light
of dawn.

"Fool." Secan spat at him, then turned, and
headed back toward his own forces, raising a casual hand and signaling. Bodies began to
move at his command, forming up , and waiting for him to reach their line.

"I wish I could believe that, Gabrielle." Xena
replied quietly, raising her head, and meeting the bards eyes. "Wait a
minute..are you telling me you believe the end justifies the means?"

Mist green eyes reacted, turned inward for a long moment,
then shone with quiet understanding. "You taught me that." Her mouth edged into
a grim smile. "And.. the end I want is you whole, and this village unharmed. Whatever
means you need to use do it."

No answer, but Xena turned and studied Secan, watching him
walk back to his fighters. Her face was impassive, but the eyes flickered constantly, and
gave a small indication of the thoughts keeping the same pace. A swift turn of her head.
"Remember you said that." She said, carefully, and let their eyes meet for a
long instant before she turned, and put her hands on the trunk of the tree, and vaulted
over it.

Gabrielle sagged against the bark, and held on for dear
life, waiting for the shaking to subside. Gods.. gods.. what did I just do? But as she
watched her partner stride forward, dispersing the fog like stiff wind, she saw a certain
bounce return to her steps, that brought a wan grin to the bards face. Be honest,
Gabrielle. Thats a swagger. And it looks good on her.

Whatever it takes, huh Gabrielle.? Xena let the words
ramble through her mind as she angled towards Lestan, with every step shedding the kinder
and gentler side shed developed recently. All right. A familiar thrill was building,
and she let it, feeling it heighten her senses.

The angle she was at Lestan only had a split second
to realize her presence before she was on him, taking him down to the ground with savage
efficiency. She drew her sword, and shaved a patch of fur off his neck, holding his eyes
with her own. "Yield to me Lestan." In a voice so cold it rivaled the fog
swirling about both of them.

Lestan stared up in total shock, seeing nothing familiar
in those ice colored eyes, feeling the weight of her kneeling on his chest, and the
exquisite sharpness of the blade she held at his neck. His fighters spirit raged..
but only for an instant. Then he turned his head slowly, and raised his rounded jaw,
exposing his jugular to her. "To you, Xena of Amphipolis, I yield." His voice
was very quiet. I thought shed play by her own rules.. now I find she plays by ours.
Never underestimate her, Jessan warned me. I should have listened. His eyes blinked sadly,
and for an instant, a dark eyebrow rose, and a sparkle came into those blue pools, and she
winked.

Xena leaned close to him. "Wish me luck." She
said, putting a hand on his chest.

A slow, twitching grin found its way across
Lestans face. "Send him to Ares, Xena."

And she was gone, standing and walking slowly towards
Secans line, where he was standing, sword drawn, watching in amusement.

All right. She took several deep breaths, sucking the pine
scented air deep into her lungs, and felt her heart pumping with slow, powerful beats,
that sent a charge of blood right through her. Stared at Secan, with his sneering face,
and remembered what hed said he had planned for them, and let that start a boiling
down deep, tapping into her darker side which rose up with little effort and sent a
welcome shiver up and down her long body. Been awhile.

Xena stopped, halfway across the small open area, and held
her hands out with a smile. Then she slowly sheathed her sword, and curled both arms up
until her hands were even with her chin. Waited for his eyes to track to her, then crooked
her index fingers at him. "Were you looking for me, fuzzball?" Her voice rang
out, loud enough to carry across his forces, and back to her own. "Here I am."
She lazily let her hands drop to her belt, and waited.

Silence across the forest, save the rising wind blowing
the branches, and dispersing the fog. The rosy dawn light was now filtering through the
trees, and sent a dappled blanket across her darkly clad and armored form.

Secan strolled out to meet her, stopping about two body
lengths away and running his eyes over her with a possessive air. "So you are."
He said softly. "Dont tell me youre the challenger from that
grazers village." He laughed. "You havent heard the rules, I
gather."

Xena sized him up slowly, letting her eyes linger over him
as his had her. "Sure I have." She drawled, holding up the little clan token
Lestan had given her and Gabrielle the night before. "Its my clan." She
smiled at him. "And I just took it over." A quick motion that tied the token off
to her sword belt. "And the third " She walked forward, within his grasp,
armed only with that smile. "I think youll let me get by with. Right?"

His nostrils flared, and he felt his fur lifting in pure
response to her presence. "They said you were lifebonded."

Xena cocked her head at him. "I am."

He nodded very slowly. "Im going to kill you,
human trash. And I hope your little lifemate watches every minute of it."

It happened so fast he had no time to breath, no time to
react, no time to even think, as her hand hit his nose with enough force to send his head
snapping back, and sending a light shower of blood over them both. Then she was out of
range, and standing clear, and gracing him with that insufferable, sneering smile. His
blood rose, and sent fire coursing through him.

"Youll try. " That voice curled around him
like the dissipating fog. "And I guarantee she was loving every minute of that."
And Xena chuckled. "So did I."

Then his sword was out, and in his hands, and he was
coming at her, with a speed and strength unmatched among his kind.